2026-02-06
News Categories : News
The Ambassador of Georgia to Sri Lanka, based in New Delhi, H.E. Vakhtang Jaoshvili, met with the Hon. Speaker, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, at the Parliament premises yesterday (Feb. 05). The Secretary General of Parliament Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera was also present on the occasion.
During the meeting, discussions focused on the importance of further strengthening bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Georgia, particularly in key sectors such as tourism, agriculture, telecommunications, trade and investment.
Both parties noted that Sri Lanka and Georgia marked 25 years of diplomatic relations in 2023, highlighting the long-standing friendship between the two countries.
The Hon. Speaker stated that with the Sri Lankan economy now showing stability, there are attractive opportunities for foreign investment, and he extended an invitation to Georgian investors to explore investment prospects in Sri Lanka. He also emphasized on the cultural diversity and renowned hospitality of Sri Lanka, and encouraged tourists from Georgia to visit Sri Lanka and experience its rich heritage and natural attractions.
In response, the Ambassador affirmed his commitment to strengthening tourism between the two countries and expressed interest in promoting educational opportunities in Georgia for Sri Lankan students to pursue higher studies.
The Hon. Speaker also expressed the expectation of establishing the Sri Lanka - Georgia Parliamentary Friendship Association in the Tenth Parliament in the near future to further enhance parliamentary cooperation between the two nations.
2026-02-06
A high-level roundtable dialogue titled “Future-Ready Indo-Lanka Partnership: Dialogue for a Shared Tomorrow,” organised by the Sri Lanka - India Parliamentary Friendship Association, was held at the Parliament of Sri Lanka yesterday (Feb. 05), bringing together Members of Parliament, diplomats, and policy experts from Sri Lanka and India.The dialogue focused on the deep-rooted and evolving partnership between Sri Lanka and India, with particular emphasis on energy partnership and maritime cooperation. The event was supported by the High Commission of India in Colombo, with 'Factum' serving as the Knowledge Partner.The programme commenced with an opening address by Hon. Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, Chairman of the Sri Lanka - India Parliamentary Friendship Association. In his remarks, the Hon. Minister highlighted the importance of such engagements in achieving sustainable and mutually beneficial cooperation, especially in the context of emerging regional and global challenges.Addressing the forum, His Excellency Dr. Satyanjal Pandey, Acting High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, expressed his appreciation to the Sri Lanka - India Parliamentary Friendship Association and policymakers of Sri Lanka for organising the dialogue. He emphasised the importance of investment-led growth and financing, rather than credit-oriented financing, as a key driver of sustainable economic cooperation.The discussions were conducted in two sessions. The first session focused on Energy Partnership, featuring expert interventions by Mr. Shishir Priyadarshi, President of the Chintan Research Foundation and former WTO and IAS officer, and Mr. Pubudu Niroshan, Head of the CEB Transition Task Force. Discussions explored opportunities for energy cooperation, including energy connectivity, renewable energy generation, and new avenues for joint collaboration.The second session focused on Maritime Cooperation, reflecting the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean. Discussions covered maritime security, sustainable cooperation in the maritime industry, Sri Lanka’s potential as a maritime hub, and related challenges. Expert insights were delivered by Dr. Chhavi Vasisht, Associate Fellow at the Chintan Research Foundation, and Rear Admiral Y.N. Jayaratne (Retd.), maritime analyst and former Sri Lanka Navy officer.The roundtable discussions were moderated by Mr. Omar Rajarathnam, Executive Director of Factum. The dialogue also focused on future action plans of the Sri Lanka–India Parliamentary Friendship Association. Delivering the closing remarks, Member of Parliament Dr. Kavinda Jayawardana, Secretary of the Sri Lanka–India Parliamentary Friendship Association, expressed his appreciation to the Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne and H.E Santosh Jha, the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka for their support and leadership.
2026-02-05
The newly appointed Auditor General, Ms. Samudika Jayarathna, took the oath of secrecy before the Hon. Speaker, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, in Parliament today (Feb. 05).In accordance with Section 9 of the National Audit Act, No. 19 of 2018, she took the oath of secrecy in her capacity as the Auditor General of the National Audit Office and Chairperson of the Audit Service Commission.Ms. Jayarathna was appointed as the 42nd Auditor General of the country, becoming the first woman to hold this position.A group of officials, including the Secretary General of Parliament, Ms. Kushani Rohanadeera, were also present at the occasion.
2026-02-05
Hon. Lee Hack Young, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, met with the Hon. Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, at the Parliamentary premises recently (Feb. 03).The Hon. Bok Kiwang, the Hon. Song Jaebong and the Hon. Jung Hyekyung, Members of Parliament of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, Ms. Lee Jayoung, Deputy Director of the Asia-Pacific Affairs Division of the National Assembly Secretariat, and H.E. Miyon Lee, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Sri Lanka, accompanied the Deputy Speaker. The Secretary General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, was also present at the meeting.During the discussions, the Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne expressed his sincere gratitude to the Government of the Republic of Korea for the assistance extended to Sri Lanka through various development projects, as well as for the timely support provided during the recent disaster caused by Cyclone Ditwah. The Hon. Speaker highlighted the key development initiatives implemented with the assistance of Republic of Korea, particularly through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), in the areas of education, transport, rural development, and water resource development. He also conveyed appreciation for the capacity development programmes provided for Sri Lanka’s public sector.The Hon. Speaker further stated that Sri Lanka’s economic situation has now stabilized and warmly welcomed Korean investors to explore investment opportunities in Sri Lanka. He also expressed hope for increased employment opportunities for Sri Lankan workers in the Republic of Korea in the future.Addressing the meeting, the Hon. Lee Hack Young, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, expressed his appreciation for the Hon. Speaker for the invitation and stated that the visit would further strengthen the friendly relations between the two countries. He noted that Sri Lanka - Korea diplomatic relations will mark 50 years next year and expressed confidence in expanding cooperation across a wider range of sectors for the mutual benefit and development of both nations.Discussions also focused on matters related to visa facilitation for Korean tourists, with a view to increasing tourist arrivals, providing greater opportunities for Korean companies to participate in major infrastructure projects such as energy and highways, and further enhancing parliamentary-level and cultural cooperation between the two countries.Following the meeting, the visiting delegation undertook a parliamentary tour, which included offering flowers at the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree located within the Parliamentary Complex, and observed the parliamentary proceedings from the VIP Gallery.
2026-02-03
Committee on Parliamentary Business has decided to take up for debate, from 11.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. on Friday, February 6, the Resolution containing the Proclamation made under the Public Security Ordinance, which has been published in the Extraordinary Gazette No. 2473/14.This decision was taken when the Committee on Parliamentary Business met today (Feb. 03) at 1.30 p.m. under the chairmanship of Hon. Speaker (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne.Accordingly, it was also decided to take up for debate on another day the Private Member’s Motion and the Motion at the Adjournment Time which had been scheduled for debate on that day.Further, agreement was reached to approve, without debate at 5.30 p.m. on Friday, February 6, the Resolution under the Essential Public Services Act published in the Extraordinary Gazette No. 2473/13 dated 28.01.2026.
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